Just as I sit down, I open my phone and look at all the things I’ve gotten done for the stud farm operation and what else I need to take care of when I get a chance. Dad was very clear about normal ranch duties not being interrupted while we get everything together, so when I have any spare time, I’m doing as much as I can. What’s even better is Kane agreed to help me run it between helping at the goat farm. The fact that we’ll work together makes me so damn happy. Things are starting to finally fall in place. Once I finish eating, I put up my dirty dishes and leave.
While I’m working, I can’t help but think about Hadleigh and what it took for us to get where we are. It’s been a wild ride, one I wouldn’t change for the world. During her days off, she stays at my house, and during the week, she goes back home for work. She commutes a lot, but she’s also very greedy when it comes to me—and I fucking love it.
Every free moment, we’re together, and I’m completely head over heels in love with her. Something I’ve never felt with any other woman. She has me wrapped around her pinky finger and lets me think I'm the one in control when, in reality, she could crush my heart at any time.
As I finish oiling the saddles, my phone buzzes with a text.
Riley: Hey, you almost done?
Knox: Actually, yeah. Wrapping up now.
Riley: Can you do me a big favor? Rowan has some accounting documents at her house, and Uncle Evan wants to review them. Can you pick them up and bring them to the saloon?
I check the time and text Hadleigh.
Knox: Hey, babe. Are you still in San Angelo?
Hadleigh: Yeah. I had to do some laundry real quick. Are you off yet?
Knox: Almost. Do I have time to run an errand for Riley?
Hadleigh: My clothes have fifteen more minutes before they’re dry, then I’m heading that way. You’ve got at least an hour.
Knox: Perfect. See you soon!
Hadleigh: Yes, you will! ;)
I click on Riley’s name.
Knox: I’m gonna run home and shower because I stink, then I’ll take care of it.
Riley: Don’t take your sweet-ass time. Uncle Evan has zero patience.
Knox: That’s his problem. I’ll get there when I get there.
I put up the rest of the supplies, then make my way to Rowan’s before I go home and change. She meets me in the driveway with a folder full of papers.
“Appreciate this so much!” She grins. “Oh, and Happy Birthday!”
“Thanks. Twenty-seven ain’t startin’ out so bad.”
“You have any big plans?” she asks.
“Hadleigh and I are gonna have dinner, which will lead to dessert,” I tell her with a knowing smirk.
Her eyes widen as she hides her smile. “Sounds like fun. Anyway, I won’t keep you much longer because ya know Uncle Evan’s uptight. Have a good one, and thanks again.” Rowan taps my truck, then waves as I back out of the driveway.
Once I’m home, I take my version of a whore shower where I soap off the sweat with soap, then get dressed. I’m kinda annoyed about having to go into town, but since I’m waiting on Hadleigh anyway, I guess it’s fine.
It takes me twenty minutes to get to the saloon, and the parking lot is empty other than Evan’s Mercedes parked out front. I grab the folder and walk in but am confused because it’s pitch black.
“Hello?” I call out, and when the lights flick on, people pop out from behind the bar, tables, and the hallway, screaming, “Surprise!”
“Holy shit,” I blurt out, completely taken off guard. “Whoops, sorry for cussin’.”
Hadleigh runs over and wraps her arms around my neck, then kisses me. “Happy Birthday! Were you shocked?”
“Yes, I still am.” I grin. “How in the hell did you—?”
She grabs my hand as the lights are turned off again.
“Sorry, your brother is coming too,” she whispers and pulls me behind the bar. I chuckle in amusement at what Kane’s about to go through.
A minute later, he walks in, and there’s an exact repeat of what just happened to me.
“Holy shit!” he yells, dropping the papers on the floor. The room falls into a fit of laughter.
“It’s like y’all are twins or somethin’. You even react the same.” Kaitlyn snickers.
I walk over to my brother and give him a hug. “Happy Birthday, bro.”
“You too,” he tells me. “They got you with the stupid paperwork needing to be delivered too?”
“Yep, they did. Nearly shit my pants when they all screamed, then forced me to hide right away,” I explain, and he laughs.
Everyone greets us with hugs and chatter. We thank them for coming and celebrating with us and, most importantly, thank Hadleigh for being so damn sweet. We’ve never had a surprise party before, and even though it’s the middle of the day, I’m ready for some beer.